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The Nationals lose their second in a row to the worst team in baseball falling 3-2 in 11 to the Houston Astros and seeing their slim playoff hopes disappear. Nationals starter Livan Hernandez started a little shaky giving up a run in both the first and second inning, but settled down lasting six innings.

The first Astros run came on an RBI single by Carlos Lee and the second run came on a Humberto Quintero RBI double. The Nationals though came back in the sixth on a two run Jayson Werth home run, number 11 on the year. Werth had his best game at the plate in months and possibly for the season. He ended up 3 for 5 with a double, a home run, two RBI and a run scored while raising his average to .218.

Todd Coffey came on in the eleventh and got beat up for the second game in a row. Coffey could only manage one out while giving up three hits and the game winning hit to pinch hitter Jason Michaels who knocked in Quintero for the winning run. Coffey is 3-1 on the season and has a 4.03 ERA.

Livan Hernandez got a no decision going six innings, giving up seven hits, two runs, one walk and struck out three. Jayson Werth was the only Nationals player with multiple hits. Michael Morse went 1 for 5 and is hitting .312 on the season.

The Nationals lose their third series in a row, second on the road and have Thursday off to re-group before they close out their post All-Star nine game road trip with three against the Dodgers in Los Angeles.